Shameless Plugs: Rock and Roll Writing Class

An e-mail was received here at Rock'n'roll Etiquette about a month ago (oops!) from someone who found this blog via a Google search for "rock and roll writing." It turns out there is an online class by that name and we were asked to check it out by the aforementioned e-mailer. The class is offered by the Basement Writing Workshop, which features a series of creative writing courses, such as the Memoir Writing Class and the Comedy Writing Class. Why a rock and roll class, of all things? I think the description explains it well enough:

"Consider the rock and roll writing section of your local bookstore. How big is it? Where is it located in the store? How does it compare to other genres? It's strange how slim the pickings can be when you consider the amount of people who love rock music, buy records, go to concerts, and harbor hopes of one day being rock stars themselves. Our class will explore the current state of rock lit and discuss what we as writers can do about it. Come prepared to write about your rock and roll experiences-why your characters love the music they love, what happens backstage or on the tour bus, what it feels like to play in your band...or jam along with your iPod-and learn ways to make your prose the kind that could inspire a rock lit revolution."

The class is taught by Arthur Edwards, former bassist of The Refreshments (they did the theme song for King of the Hill), and runs from October 4th to December 12th, so there's still a bit of time left to sign up if anyone is interested. There is a fee, of course, just like with any class you'd be taking on a college campus. For anyone with $320 -- the discounted fee -- burning a hole in their pocket, this might be what you're looking for to kill some time or brush up on your writing skills.

If you don't have the money, there is also a writing contest you can enter to win a free class. The writing prompts for the contest are posted on Facebook and Twitter and aren't limited to just essays; you can write a poem, a story, or anything else you can think of. Submissions must be 2,500 words or less and the winner can choose from any of the writing classes offered. The deadline is November 1st, so get writing!

Jersey Spotlight: The Static Jacks

We've been absent on this blog for a little over a month. I apologize for that, but think of it as an internet vacation. Anyway, in order to make up for getting rid of the news posts (I really just don't have the time to keep up with them every week) I'm going to introduce a new feature called "Jersey Spotlight" that I hope you guys will enjoy. Every so often we will try to showcase great local bands from New Jersey in an attempt to get the word out on them. These bands need all the support they can get.

Without further ado, I present to you The Static Jacks, a five-piece indie band from Westfield. I use the term "indie" loosely, as that is what they are considered by the majority. Don't let that stop you from giving this band a listen. If their gritty, soulful music doesn't grab you, their catchy hooks certainly will. The vocals even remind me a bit of a young Glenn Danzig at times. They may not have complex guitar riffs or masterfully written lyrics, but what these guys do have is raw talent and a love for what they do.

Despite having been featured in various MTV shows, namely The Hills and Jersey Shore, it doesn't seem like this band is getting wide recognition. I recently had the pleasure of seeing them open for Biffy Clyro in New York and their set was fantastic. Before the show, a few fans waiting in line relayed a story about the previous night: The Static Jacks weren't able to play at the 21+ venue because some of the members are underage. They tried to find a place to crash for the night, but no one was generous enough to offer up their floor, so they slept in their van. The next day they tore up that stage in NYC and made me fall in love with their music.


The Static Jacks "My Parents Lied" from Michael James Murray on Vimeo.

This Week in Music... kinda

Another double week news post?! Sweet.

Recap for the week of August 8th:

• NOFX began streaming The Longest EP on their MySpace page. The album features out of print EPs, previously unreleased songs and rarities, and was released on August 17th.
• Defunct band Planes Mistaken for Stars has confirmed that they will be playing not one but two shows this fall. That brings us one show closer to a potential reunion tour. Pretty please?
• Protest the Hero announced that they will be entering the studio on August 30th to begin recording the follow-up to 2008's Fortress.
• The first new song from Jimmy Eat World's new album, Invented, is streaming on the band's website. The album is set to be released on September 28th.
• Punknews.org is streaming We Chase the Waves, the new effort from Sundowner. You can listen to it here.
• A new single, titled "Shakedown," from psychobilly band Devil's Brigade has been released. The song can be heard on ampmagazine.com, while the self-titled debut album will be out on August 31st.
• The Aquabats are planning to independently release a new album on November 9th and will be touring with Reel Big Fish after playing a few shows on the Yo Gabba Gabba! tour. If that sounds strange to you, let me clear things up: the band's lead singer, Christian Jacobs aka The MC Bat Commander, is the co-creator of the popular children's show. In fact, the band has appeared in multiple episodes.
• Weezer unveiled the album artwork and track list for their new album, Hurley. Here's what the album cover looks like:
  
  
  
  I wish I were joking. The photo is of actor Jorge Garcia, who played Hugo "Hurley" Reyes on the television show Lost. Maybe you've heard of it. The album is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Recap for the week of August 15th:

• Hardcore punk act Comeback Kid are streaming ten of the eleven songs from their upcoming album, Symptoms and Cures, on their MySpace page. The album is due on August 31st.
• Coheed and Cambria announced via Facebook that they are holding a contest for local bands to win a chance to open for them on their upcoming tour dates in October. The contest will take place on the band's Facebook page, while details can be found here. Lead singer Claudio Sanchez was quoted saying, "...local scenes haven't flourished like they once did. Hopefully this helps bring awareness to some good up and coming music."
• Dag Nasty will be re-releasing a version of their 1986 album Can I Say. The album is titled Dag with Shawn and will feature original vocalist Shawn Brown, who left the band in 1986. Nine of the ten songs from Can I Say, which had been re-recorded with new vocalist Dave Smalley after Brown left, will make it onto the album.
• In addition to the album artwork and track list for Weezer's new album, Hurley, being revealed, the band has also released their first single, titled "Memories." The song is available for download via the Spinner website. There are also rumors going around about a possible Pinkerton tour, on which the band will play the 1996 album in its entirety. Even if it doesn't happen, keep an eye out for the re-issue of Pinkerton, which will be released this fall.
• In an MTV segment called "re:Play," Tom Gabel of Against Me! attempts to teach viewers how to play "I Was A Teenage Anarchist," a single off the band's most recent release, White Crosses. The video can be seen here. Gabel also talks about Against Me!'s writing process, as well as their influences.
• Minus the Bear announced a fall US tour. A full list of dates and locations can be found here.
• New Jersey natives Screaming Females have a new video for their song, "I Don't Mind It." Contrary to the band's name, there is no actual screaming from any females.
  
  
  
• Dave Hause, lead singer and guitarist of The Loved Ones, posted a song titled "Melanin" on his MySpace. The song is from his solo 7", which was released this spring.
• A song from Tim Kasher's (Cursive, The Good Life) upcoming solo album has been released. The song is called "Cold Love" and can be downloaded from Spin. Remember to mark your calendars for the release of the album, The Game of Monogamy, out October 5th.

Nine Females Who Kick Ass

It's no secret that a number of female-fronted punk bands are seen as a huge joke. While it's true that some should have never bothered picking up an instrument, there are others who deserve recognition not only for their talent, but also for their attitudes and beliefs. I present to you, in no particular order, a list of women notable for their badassery.

1. Brody Dalle (The Distillers, Spinnerette)

Any girl who can style her hair in liberty spikes or a mohawk and still look amazing is a win in my book. Hailing from Australia, Dalle began her music career at the age of thirteen and relocated to the US after meeting Tim Armstrong of Rancid. Though Dalle is often compared to Courtney Love because of her rough singing voice, she made a name for herself playing guitar, singing, and writing nearly every song for The Distillers until they disbanded in 2006. In addition to fronting her own bands, Dalle has also made numerous guest appearances on songs by bands such as Leftover Crack, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Transplants. And her opinion on female artists? "They say women can't play guitar as well as men. I don't play my guitar with my fucking vagina, so what difference does it make?" Amen.

2. Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre)

If you don't know who Kathleen Hanna is, then you've probably been living under a rock for the last two decades. Not only was she the frontwoman for both Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, but she was also a major part of the Riot Grrl movement that started in the early 1990s. Hanna is an outspoken feminist activist (she attended her first rally at the age of nine!) and isn't shy about voicing her opinions on other political issues, whether it be in interviews or in lyrics. She's also volunteered at the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls and has taught an art class at NYU. Whether it be the fact that she stands up for what she believes in, or her high-energy performances at shows, there's a reason people love her. Now enjoy this video from 1992 of Bikini Kill performing "Jigsaw Youth," in which Hanna shows off some nerdy dance moves:

3. Jenny Hurricane (Midnight Creeps)

I've read one too many comments on the internet in which the author calls this woman a slut because of her raunchy performances and the outfits she chooses to wear on stage. It all boils down to the fact that she is open with her sexuality and isn't afraid to express that. I think the best description of Jenny Hurricane comes straight from of the Midnight Creeps MySpace biography: "Jenny Hurricane lives up to her name, shaking across the stage like the second coming of Iggy Pop." You won't understand until you see it for yourself, so below is a video of the Midnight Creeps performing at CBGB's. The best part comes at around 4:10, when she is asking audience members to describe something dirty they will do to win a piece of her skirt, which is made out of caution tape. One guy even manages to win two pieces by telling her he's going to kill George W. Bush. Classic.



4. Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather)

There are no words. All the proof you need of her excellence can be found in the video for "Treat Me Like Your Mother" by The Dead Weather. Great voice? Check. Subtle sexiness? Check. Shooting Jack White with a submachine gun while wearing heels? Triple check.

5. Ryann Donnelly (Schoolyard Heroes, Blood Cells)

In 2000, Schoolyard Heroes played a cover of The Misfits' "Last Caress" at a Christian Battle of the Bands, and the rest is history. Though she has been the singer for horror punk bands with lyrics about the undead, serial killers, and other topics along these lines, Donnelly does not throw femininity out the window. In fact, she wears dresses during most, if not all, live performances. Her vocals can get high-pitched and shrieky at times, but in a way that is not grating or otherwise unpleasant to the ear.

6. Juliette Lewis (Juliette and the Licks, The New Romantiques)

Chances are you know her as the actress from movies such as Whip It and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. The characters she plays in films are often raw and in-your-face, which isn't a far stretch from reality. Unlike most, Lewis makes the transition from movies to music smoothly; she's not just another actress trying to tap into her nonexistent well of hidden talents. Obviously this spitfire was made to be an entertainer.



7 & 8. Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin (Tegan and Sara)

These twins, who call Canada their home, began their foray into music at the age of fifteen, writing songs under the name PLUNK. Since then, they've released six albums as Tegan and Sara and have both worked on numerous collaborations for artists such as Against Me! and DJ Tiesto. Tegan even wrote a song for the audio book version of A Wolf At The Table at the request of the author, Augusten Burroughs. The duo write all of their own lyrics and music, but rarely ever write songs together. The media seems to dwell on their sexuality, as they are both lesbians. Most adorable Canadian twin lesbians ever.



9. Chibi (The Birthday Massacre)

Though she is the lead singer of a synthrock band (often incorrectly referred to as a goth band), and certainly looks the part, she happens to be one of the biggest sweethearts on the planet. Her airy vocals are usually a stark contrast to the music, but at times she employs a low whisper or scream to add an extra layer of creepiness. Chibi never forgets to show gratitude towards fans of the band, whether it's by interacting with them in person or by making hearts with her hands while performing. She often blogs about cats, knitting, and Star Wars -- a girl after my own heart. In addition to fronting a band, she makes jewelry for an Etsy store called Goodbye Forever, alongside her long-time friend, Laura, and her younger sister, Emily.

This Week In Music: Recap (Week of August 1st)

• This week's edition of the news recap starts off with worse news than last week's. Original Fear bassist, Derf Scratch, passed away on July 28th after prolonged illness. Scratch, born Frederick Milner III, played bass for Fear since the band's 1977 formation. Condolences go out to his friends and family from everyone here at Rock'n'roll Etiquette.
• Weezer has announced the release date for their new album, Hurley. The album will be out on September 14th on Epitaph Records. This is the first time the band has released an album on an independent label in over a decade. A reissue of their 1996 album Pinkerton will follow shortly after.
• Big D and the Kids Table has two new songs up on the iTunes store. The songs ("Lash Out" and "Not Our Fault") were originally part of a split with The Brunt of It, but are now available as one convenient download, titled Two Songs, One Download.
• A new video from hardcore band Evergreen Terrace debuted earlier this week. The video, for the song "Enemy Sex," can be viewed below or by clicking this link.
  
  
  
• Episode three of Shit Happens: The Webseries? has been posted on its home website. If you have yet to see the first two episodes then what the hell are you waiting for?
• The two-disc special edition reissue of Queens of the Stone Age album Rated R was released on Tuesday. The second disc contains nine unreleased songs, as well as live performances of "Better Living Through Chemistry," "Feel Good Hit of the Summer," "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" and "Quick and to the Pointless."
• Alternative Press is currently streaming a song from Sundowner's new effort, We Chase the Waves. The song is called, "As the Crow Flies," and can be heard here. The new album will be released on August 10th.
• The Adolescents have leaked two more new songs from their upcoming album, The Fastest Kid Alive, bringing the total song count to five. "Learning to Swim" and "Inspiration" are both promising tracks.
• A world tour has been announced by The Sword. The tour kicks off on October 1st in Los Angeles, California and continues well into 2011. The band will be playing a show in New York City at Webster Hall on October 16th, if anyone is interested. A full list of dates can be found on their MySpace, which is pretty much the only thing MySpace is good for anymore.
• If your lifelong dream is to watch a band perform aboard a ship then your dream just might come true. Less Than Jake will be playing a show on The Temptress, a boat in NYC, on August 19th as part of the Rocks Off Concert Cruise Series. Visit punknews.org to enter to win two tickets to the event. If Less Than Jake doesn't tickle your fancy, there are a number of other bands and artists who will be performing on cruise ships from August until October. Some of the bands include Cro-Mags, mc chris, H2O, and The Bouncing Souls. For a complete list of performers and ticket information, visit the Rocks Off website.

This Week In Music: Recap (week of July 25th)

• We start "This Week In Music" off on a downer this week. First, Matt Good announced that From First to Last is going on indefinite hiatus, followed the next day by Craig Owens [formerly of Chiodos] announcing Matt Good joining his, as of yet, unnamed new project.
• Brendan Kelly of The Lawrence Arms and The Falcon, annouced the completion of a new untitled solo album. Kelly has stated, although, that he has no idea who to bring the album to due to it not exactly sounding like a punk album. Here's to hoping he figures something out so we can get our grubby little paws on it.
• Another song from the new Blaqk Audio album titled Bright Black Heaven has been streaming on Sirius radio. The song is called, "Bon Voyeurs" and, lucky for you Blaqk Audio fans, someone has ripped the song and posted it on youtube. Check it, here.
• Bad Religion has posted the first song and artwork from their upcoming album, The Dissent of Man, and launched the pre-orders. You can check out "The Devil In Stitches" on their myspace. The band will also be touring the US with Bouncing Souls and Off With Their Heads. Not all the dates are there yet, so keep on checking if you don't see your city.
• Keeping the classic punk band news going, The Adolescents released three songs from their upcoming album The Fastest Kid Alive which the band has been working on since 2007. You can check out the songs here: "Tokyo Au Go Go", "Jefferson Memorial Dance Revolution", and "Peace Don't Cost A Thing."
• Saves The Day released an acoustic version of "Let It All Go", which you can listen to on the band's website, to be featured on the 4th volume of Bug Sessions. The band will also be opening for the Motion City Soundtrack and Say Anything co-headlining tour, which is a shame because those bands should be opening for Saves The Day.
• Mike Ness, lead singer and guitarist, of Social Distortion announced that their debut on Epitaph Records is to be titled Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes. Ness also went on to promise a release date in November.
• Senses Fail announced that their upcoming album will be titled The Fire. Let's just hope this album is actually a fire and not just some smoldering ember like their last album was. The band will also be touring with Bayside on a tour that kicks off October 19th, which makes Jenn's lumping of the two bands in one bullet point last week kind of creepy.
• Tegan and Sara have released a new video for "On Directing" from the album Sainthood. Dig those crazy Canadians.

• Reverend Horton Heat have announced plans to record their August 12th show to release as a live DVD in celebration of their 25th anniversary.
• The Birthday Massacre have finished up their new album titled Pins and Needles, which is set to be released on September 14th. The band will also be on a headlining tour in support of the new album, which is to start August 20th.
• Planes Mistaken For Stars, who played their final show in January of 2008, will be playing both The Fest and a one-off reunion show in Chicago. Let's hope that the one-off bit was bullshit and they either do a full tour or get back together.

Bands You Should Be Listening To: RFTC

Rocket From The Crypt, or the best band in the universe [called so by fans due to their amazing live shows], was a 6-piece band of totally awesome dudes hailing from San Diego, California that formed in 1990 along with Drive Like Jehu after frontman John Reis's previous band Pitchfork disbanded.

For the most of its life, Rocket From The Crypt consisted of: John Reis aka Speedo on guitar and lead vocals, Andy Stamets aka ND on guitar and backing vocals, Pete Reichert aka Petey X on bass and backing vocals, Paul O'Beirne aka Apollo 9 on saxophone and backing vocals, Jason Crane aka JC 2000 on trumpet and backing vocals, and Adam Willard aka Atom on drums. This was the line-up from 1990-2000, when Atom left the band due to disagreements over the band's direction and was replaced by Mario Rubalcaba aka Ruby Mars, who played with them until their demise.

Often labeled a punk band, but far from true, Rocket From The Crypt plays classic rock and roll infused with punk attitude and backed by an intense ska-free horns section. To date, Rocket From The Crypt have 7 studio albums ["Paint as a Fragrance", "Circa: Now!", "Hot Charity", "Scream, Dracula, Scream!", "RFTC", "Group Sounds", and "Live From Camp X-Ray"], 2 EPs ["The State of Art Is On Fire" and "Cut Carefully and Play Loud"], 1 Live CD/DVD of the band's final show [aptly titled "R.I.P."], 3 Compilation Albums ["All Systems Go" Vol. 1-3], and about 22 vinyl singles [most of which were collected on the "All Systems Go" compilations].

Rocket From The Crypt's songs are very catchy due in part to the fairly simple, yet awesome, lyrics coupled with the vocal delivery [call and response/chanting/whoas/whatnot] and sonic onslaught of the music. Some awesome examples of Speedo's lyrics include: "Say hello to my little friend, a broken spleen and a heart of gold. Has a face that the world adores, yeah, but lives a life that belongs in hell, no.", "School ain't shit, I read it in a book.", and "My hands were just untied, so I'm using my fist to buy me time. The run-around runs around and goes to the past. Maude, let the young livers pass. We're so strong and we're so feared. They're gonna look back and never knew we're here."

Eventually, after being a band for 15 years, the members of the band started to focus on other projects and RFTC just kind of fell by the wayside. In 2005, after breaking up Hot Snakes [another band John Reis was a member of during his time in Rocket From The Crypt], Speedo announced that RFTC was also breaking up and would be playing their final show on Halloween in San Diego that year. The show was filmed and subsequently released with an album of said show, titled "R.I.P."

Here are a few videos to help demonstrate the awesomeness that is Rocket From The Crypt.

On A Rope



Sturdy Wrists



I'm Not Invisible


S.O.S.